I am a Chemist but don't see the need to discuss the definition of a solvent. What is important is what effects a chemical has on materials. First of all you can't use the effects of a chemical on a substance at full concentration when that chemical is going to be used at a very low concentration (~0.2% in this case). Blends of solvents (Gasoline is also a solvent, actually a blend) can act totally different than any of its components individually. You can make a solvent that has good solvency on material have poor solvency by adding another solvent. You can also combine two solvents to dissolve a material that neither will do alone.

The concentration of a chemical has a tremendous effect on it's effect on other materials. I don't think anyone here would attempt to drink concentrated Phosphoric Acid but most of us drink it diluted nearly everyday in Soft Drinks. I could list many other examples but I think you can see my point without belaboring it.

I don't think 0.2% acetone in gasoline is going to have any serious effects on the seals in the fuel system. However the longest continuous run I have used is three tankfuls with the Acetone added. Since I believe it acts more to clean the fuel system, there is not much point in running the Acetone continuously. Until I am convinced by actual use that it does nothing to improve mileage, I will continue to use Acetone intermittently. There are a lot of people that are using Acetone in their fuel and have been doing it for a long time. If there was a problem with the use of it at this low concentration, I think something would have shown up by now.

 

yup, Acetone works as a powerful fuel system cleaner.

 

If you want to try spicing your fuels then try some of these as additives:

50% NAPTHA, V.M. P. and 50% TOLUENE mix. Add about 1-2 pints (DO NOT EXCEED) of this mixture per full tank. This will keep your system very clean and add a pinch to the RON rating. Don't expect miracles. At best it will bump the RON up .5-1.0

Heres a list of Chemicals you could try in small amounts that are compatible in there pure form (DO NOTE USE HOUSEHOLD VERSIONS AND USE AT YOUR OWN RISK).


HEPTANE (Commen use: a component of starter fluid, gasoline, and some petroleum ethers)
XYLENE (Commen use: Solvent some lighter fluids and gasoline)
OCTANE (Commen use: a component of gasoline)
TOLUENE (Commen use: a major component of gasoline)
NAPTHA, VM&P plus (Commen use: Paint Thinner)
NITROMETHANE (Commen use: fuel booster additive)

Note ACETONE is flammable, but is primarily used as an ingredient in Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in fuels as Oxygenates. Not as a fuel additive.

Bottom line is that the benefit gained is negligible and not worth the cost.

Remember: the use of small amouts of these Chemicals as additives is ok, but in higher volumes can and will do hard part damage as well as emission related problems.

WARNING: These Chemicals are known to cause cancer and are toxic.

 

Rev, you are right about those chemicals being carcinogens. Acetone on the other hand is relatively low in toxicity as far as solvents go. It is exempt as a VOC (volatile organic compound) and HAP (hazardous air pollutant). Acetone and water are two of the few solvents that can be used in paints and coating without a limit as far as EPA and AQMD are concerned. Other than its flammability, acetone is a relatively safe solvent to use.

Where did you get the information that Acetone is primarily used as an ingredient in MTBE. MTBE is derived from a catalytic reaction of methanol and isobutene. There are variations in the process but I am not aware of using acetone. Even if it is used in the derivation of MTBE, the properties of acetone would be long gone.

 

you can type a space. and it won't show anything.

doesn't matter if i hide my name. it's at the bottom of every page...

 

Yes Acetone is listed as an exempt solvent by both SCAQMD and SDAPCD based on its a low photochemically-reactive organic compound.

What I meant was in the way of a fuel additive. Very few if any manufactures use it in there over the counter fuel additives. The biggest use that I’m aware of was in the manufacture of MTBE as far as fuels go.

However, years ago blending of off spec solvents with fuels was an easy means and profitable way of disposal....

 

Just ran 200miles 87 octane w 3oz/10gal Acetone w a mix of driving: 120 miles freeway 80 miles extreme stop and go (San Francisco w hills) It took 10.5 gal filled to the top. 19 mpg. My normal non stop freeway mileage at 75mph is 19mpg. My normal city mileage is 15mpg. Will see how the next tank does.

 

For what it's worth.. I did this on three differing cars. A 87 monte carlo SS. A 2003 V8 mountianeer, and a 94 grand prix.

The mountianeer an GP showed ZERO improvement using about 10 tankfuls each.

However the SS with it's 4 barrel carb most definately showed a gain!
It also had better tip in throttle response. I saw an avg gain of 2mpg (19-21mpg) over the coarse of 6months and 15k miles.

I'd again do this on any carburated motor. But not on a fuel injected one.

Rich

 

Almost positive Acetone was one of the few "mpg increasers" Myth Busters tried one episode... they were all busted...